Wednesday, September 29, 2010

These are illustrations from the 1920s by an artist called Ellen Pyle. I've pulled them for hairstyle inspiration. I know the bob was big, but there are other options. So you don't need to go get your hair cut just to come to the Black Cat Speakeasy. Instead, try something like this instead. Waves, curls, something, and then slap on a ribbon or headdress! Or... grapes.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The workshop went really well this weekend. Of course, then I got very ill and didn't write about it. But I will now put that to rights!First of all, Katy Bishop showed us some really amazing pieces from the 1920s for inspiration. You should already be jealous that you weren't there (unless, I guess, you were). The clothing was exquisite.So much tea! We had lots of yummy food and delicious tea (also water and lemonade - it was a hot day!), plus we used my favorite pretty teacups. I should write about my tea set some day...Next, Nicole Carlson showed us all how to take measurements for the dress, and everyone got measured. Then it was time for the sewing demonstration.Barbara did it! She started at 3, and finished by 4, making this a literal one hour dress. We all watched and helped a bit. Here she is, cutting the final threads!Here is the new dress on our lovely model, plus the rest of us who came in our one hour dresses (plus one other style).

Monday, September 20, 2010

What are you doing this Saturday? I know! You're going to go to this very cool dress workshop in preparation for attending the best speakeasy ever (on Oct 30). Just to be clear, this is a dress workshop about dresses that can be made in one hour, but the workshop itself is longer than that (1-4 pm). And it includes tea! Here are the details:The Commonwealth Vintage Dancers are pleased to present a costume workshop based on Mary Brooks Picken's 1923 classic The One Hour Dress.

This workshop will give you all the information you need to make your very own authentic 1920's style gown, whether you are a beginning or advanced dressmaker. Just in time for Halloween, and perfect to wear to next month's 1920's themed ball, the Black Cat Speakeasy!

Admission is just $15 per person and includes:

A light tea and brief lecture on fashion in the 1920's

A live dress making demonstration

An opportunity to take all the notes and measurements needed to make your own dress at home

Your own copy of the 1923 One Hour Dress booklet, with additional color fashion plates to inspire your creativity

A copy of the booklet alone can cost up to $18 online, making this an unbeatable bargain for a full afternoon of fashion fun at Melrose's beautiful Corinthian Hall.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Inspiration is not the name of the painting or picture, but rather I am finding this fellow rather inspiring at the moment (I've posted about him before). First, the obligatory apologies. School has started up again, and it was a less-than-smooth transition. Start with things like moving all my stuff and trying to schedule my classes so that I never actually have to be in two places in once, and then add a serious case of bad financial aid paperwork and stressful navigation of bureaucracy. I've been busy, but now I will be good and post again! Yay! Apology over!

Now, in the coming days there are going to be a lot of fantastic things going on with the 1920s. Be excited! Specifically, there is going to be a speakeasy for Halloween, preceded by a special tea dance and a dress workshop! More on those things as we get closer to the actual dates.

The point is that I wanted to inspire you. I don't love 1920s clothing... it really doesn't suit me at all. But these pictures are so cool that even the more hesitant among you should be excited! Yay!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

I just found the creepiest thing ever produced by man. I wanted to share this super impressively creepy thing with you, but unfortunately youtube has a single clip of one of the less creepy parts. If you ever get a chance to see more (as I have... oh, have I!), you should. Unless, of course, you ever want to sleep again.So you want to know what it is? The Lyon National Opera Ballet Company did a production of Cinderella in 1989. The New York Times called it "astonishingly original and magical," so I guess I am just unsophisticated. Actually, I feel a lot better now that I have read that the dancers are supposed to look like porcelain dolls in a toyshop setting, evoking some sort of artistic meaning and feeling about childhood and fairy tales and emotion. I just thought the actors were wearing disturbing baby faces - of course, my roommate though they looked like terrifying burn victims. Anyway, the dance scenes are merely disturbing. The non-dance scenes have no dialogue... just recordings of baby noises. So you can watch light-up burn-victim babies writhe about the stage to the sounds of gurgling and giggles. If you aren't freaked out just thinking about it, I'm not sure what is wrong with you. The dancing may even be good (it is impressive, though it is intentionally strange and stiff-jointed), but I am too caught up on the horror dolls in their nightmare setting. *shiver*

About Me

Antonia is a 19th century girl who teaches vintage dance, sews reproduction clothing, collects beautiful things, and generally has adventures. Expect to hear her talk about clothing, dancing, silly things, history, and even more clothing. She likes her interests and her friends to be mildly impractical and highly romantic.